BMW New 7-Series [SIZE=-1]
Here comes the first official pictures and information of the new generation BMW 7-Series. Its codename is F01, or F02 for long-wheelbase version, rather than the traditional E-double-digit codename. This is because the latter is running out of stock (today's 3-Series Cabriolet is already E93), thus logically it will start it all over again from the letter F. This mean all future BMWs will following the 7-Series to use the new Fxx codenames.
Although said to be inspired by the CS coupe concept car, these pictures show the new 7-Series looks more like an evolution from the current E65 7-Series. Thankfully, design [/SIZE][SIZE=-1]chief[/SIZE][SIZE=-1] Chris Bangle no longer pursues a radical design this time, so what you see is a refined version of the current car. Up front, the pronounced bonnet and enlarged double-kidney grille are the most obvious change. At the rear, the ugly "Bangle butt" boot lid has been replaced with a more conventional design. The side profile changes the least.
The F01/F02 is about 30 mm longer than the E65. Its wheelbase is extended for 80 mm, but overall height reduces slightly by 10 mm. By using a lot of aluminum on the bodywork, such as the roof, bonnet, doors and front wings, weight is kept unchanged.
The suspensions are also made mostly of aluminum (as previously). Note that the front suspensions have finally given up MacPherson struts for a double-wishbone design. Rear suspensions remain the same multi-link setup. Adaptive damping is available once again. Like the recent Renault Laguna GT, it will offer an electronic 4-wheel steering to improve handling agility.
At launch there will be 3 engines: a 245hp 3.0 turbo diesel six, a 326hp 3.0 bi-turbo six (uprated from 335i / 535i's 306hp unit) and a compact 408hp 4.4 twin-turbo V8 (recently launched in X6). They offer strong performance and fairly good fuel economy (see below table). Transmission is the current ZF 6-speed automatic, but we heard that ZF is developing an 8-speed version for the car.
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Inside the cabin, dashboard design looks busier than the current one. The gear lever goes back to where it should be - on the transmission tunnel, beside the rotary control knob of i-Drive. The revised i-Drive software is said to be more initiative.
Following the trend of many performance cars, the new 7-Series provides a control system with 4 selectable driving modes - Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+. They alter the stiffness of the adaptive damping, the throttle response, the level of steering assistance and the gearshift speed.
On the safety side, it provides most advanced equipment that its rivals have, such as Night Vision, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and side / rearview cameras. No self parking system though, as BMW drivers should know how to park by themselves. [/SIZE]
I have never understood that. The Jaguar XF is the same way with it. 👎 The tail lamps also look a bit out of place to me also.
